Salt Lake City, Utah: CleanJoule, a trailblazer in advanced fuels for aviation, aerospace, and defense, has officially commissioned its latest industrial manufacturing facility, CJ1, near Salt Lake City. This milestone marks a significant step forward in the commercial production of next-generation sustainable fuels, positioning CleanJoule at the forefront of the global push for energy-dense, domestically produced alternatives to traditional fossil fuels.
Constructed on a sprawling 6-acre site, the CJ1 facility is engineered to produce CleanJoule’s flagship fuels, CycloSAF and SpaceSAF. The plant’s commissioning confirms its operational safety, efficiency, and readiness, serving as a model for future large-scale facilities. These future plants, based on the CJ1 blueprint, are expected to scale production up to 100 million gallons annually, laying the groundwork for a resilient, globally distributed fuel network.
CJ1’s strategic significance extends beyond its immediate output. By demonstrating industrial viability, CleanJoule accelerates the transition from pilot-scale operations to full-scale commercial production, addressing urgent demands for sustainable, high-performance fuels in both the aviation and space sectors.
CycloSAF, CleanJoule’s advanced aviation fuel, delivers a remarkable 10% increase in energy density compared to conventional Jet A fuel. This enhancement translates directly into improved aircraft range, efficiency, and performance, meeting critical needs for airlines, regulators, and policymakers focused on strengthening U.S. energy independence and sustainability.
The fuel’s innovative pathway leverages abundant domestic biomass, reducing reliance on foreign oil and insulating the industry from price volatility and supply chain disruptions. CycloSAF is currently advancing through the ASTM International D4054 qualification process, the final regulatory hurdle before widespread commercial adoption as a drop-in blend with Jet A/A-1.
CleanJoule’s SpaceSAF offers a 4% increase in energy density over the super refined kerosene fuels (RP-1/RP-2) traditionally used in liquid rocket propulsion. This breakthrough enables greater payloads and extended mission ranges, directly benefiting the rapidly expanding commercial and governmental space sectors.
SpaceSAF’s compatibility with existing rocket engines and its sustainable, biomass-derived origins make it a compelling solution for decarbonizing space missions while maintaining — and even enhancing — performance benchmarks.
Mukund Karanjikar, CEO and founder of CleanJoule, emphasized the significance of CJ1’s commissioning, “Building off two years of operating our pilot plant, the commissioning of CJ1 demonstrates that our production process for our superior fuels has reached industrial viability. This achievement validates our proprietary pathway and positions us to meet the aerospace and defense industries’ urgent need for abundant, domestically-produced, energy-dense alternative fuels.”
Aaron Starks, President and CEO of 47G, lauded CleanJoule’s innovation, “Their work is helping to decarbonize aerospace while creating jobs, supporting farmers and reducing our reliance on foreign energy. It’s a powerful example of how Utah-based solutions can fuel both national security and economic opportunity.”
Headquartered in Salt Lake City, CleanJoule is dedicated to creating full-performance, 100% drop-in advanced fuels for commercial, military, and space applications. The company’s manufacturing process is distinguished by its superior efficiency, higher energy density, and reduced emissions — including lower carbon, soot, and contrail formation. Supported by leading investors and airline partners, CleanJoule is committed to building a resilient, domestically anchored supply chain for the future of aerospace and defense fuels.
With CJ1 now operational, CleanJoule is poised to scale production, drive domestic job creation, and reinforce U.S. leadership in sustainable energy. As the company’s fuels near full ASTM certification, CleanJoule stands ready to meet the surging demand for high-performance, sustainable aviation and space fuels, setting a new standard for the industry.
